Sunshine and smiles were both in abundance as patrons streamed onto the grounds at the Augusta National Golf Club Tuesday morning.
Although the gates were not scheduled to open until 8 a.m., the free parking lots off Berckmans Road were already filling in the pre-dawn of 7 a.m.
It was the second day of practice rounds for the 86th Masters Tournament and patrons were returning after a two-year absence because of COVID-19.
The 2020 tournament was postponed until November and was played without fans. The following year, the tournament was held in April but with limited fans attending.
John Patrick, morning show co-host at WGAC Radio and host of The Augusta Golf Show, has covered the tournament for more than 35 years. He said fans he has spoken with are pleasantly surprised.
“Because they think it still didn’t have to happen. You know, there still could have been some sort of restriction out there, and nobody would have blamed them,” he said. “So, I think everybody is pleasantly surprised. And in somewhat, you know, disbelief.”
Bennie Kovach from Virginia said he has applied for tickets in the lottery each year. This is the first time he was chosen.
“It’s cool to see people out on the golf course and enjoying golf. I’m down here with a friend from college. We haven’t gotten to see each other too many times in last couple of years. So, it’s nice for sure,” he said.
The lottery system was started for the 1995 tournament to offer more golf fans the opportunity to attend practice round days or tournament days.
When SARS-CoV-2 forced the tournament’s postponement to November without fans, ticket holders chosen in the lottery received an email that read in part:
“As a reminder, as a 2020 ticket holder of record, you are guaranteed the same tickets for the 2021 Masters Tournament and to have your 2020 ticket payment transferred to 2021. If you are unable to attend in 2021, you may request a refund by September 10th.”
Arrangements were also made to allow ticket holders the opportunity to engage in another treasured Masters experience. Shopping.
“Please note that, as a ticket holder of record, you will have exclusive access to purchase Masters merchandise online. Additional information, including when and how to access this shopping experience, will be provided directly to you in the coming weeks.”
Hopes were high for the 2021 tournament, but the continued threat posed by the virus resulted in a decision to have only a limited number of spectators.
Disappointed ticket holders received another email with a promise for the future:
“Ticket holders who purchased tickets from Augusta National will receive a refund from their original purchase. … Ticket holders will also be given the opportunity to purchase the same tickets for the 2022 Masters Tournament. To claim 2022 tickets, you must complete a 2022 ticket application at Masters.com during the application period of June 1-21, 2021.”
Thunderstorms began just after noon on Tuesday. An hour later came the announcement the golf course was being evacuated and would not reopen.
Included in the bulletin was a promise for Tuesday ticket holders:
“Purchasers of Tuesday Practice Round tickets will be guaranteed the opportunity to purchase the same Practice Round tickets in 2023.”
Fred S. Ridley Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament said, “We share the disappointment of our patrons, though we look forward to welcoming the back next year.”
Kovach said he appreciated the early morning welcome.
“Driving in everyone was excited. All the parking attendants are smiling and waving and volunteers seem like they’re happy to have everybody back,” he said.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
